Brand Office Volunteer Volunteer Roles

As an External Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of Chester Students' Union, ensuring it is delivering effectively for its members and challenging the University to deliver the best possible University experience.

We are seeking individuals who bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to our dynamic and student-focused Board. If you are passionate about higher education, student well-being, and making a
positive impact, we invite you to consider the following criteria:

In particular we are keen to see people with experience of the following areas:

• Financial Strategy and Governance
• High level leadership experience within the Students’ Union/Charity sector.
• Strategic Partnerships and Measuring impact within Charity, Public Sector
• and/or membership organisations.
• Governance, and Human Resources/People Leadership.

1. Commitment to the Mission:
Demonstrated alignment with the mission and values of Chester Students' Union, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education.
2. Governance and Leadership:
Previous experience serving on boards or in leadership positions, preferably within the education or non-profit sector.
Strong understanding of governance principles and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
3. Strategic Vision:
Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to the development of long-term organisational goals.
Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and performance evaluation.

4. Financial Acumen:
Familiarity with financial management, budgeting, and financial reporting. Ability to analyse financial information and make informed decisions in the best interest of the organisation.

5. Legal and Compliance Knowledge:
Understanding of the legal and regulatory obligations of charitable companies in the UK. Awareness of governance and compliance issues relevant to the higher education sector.

6. Networking and Advocacy:
Strong networking skills with the ability to advocate for the Students' Union and build collaborative partnerships.
A willingness to represent the organisation at external events and engage with stakeholders.

7. Student-Centric Approach:
A genuine commitment to student welfare and the enhancement of the student experience. Ability to empathise with and understand the diverse needs of the student community.

8. Effective Communication:
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Comfortable engaging with students, staff, and external partners.

9. Innovation and Adaptability:
A forward-thinking mindset with a focus on innovation and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.

10. Time Commitment:
Willingness and availability to commit the necessary time to fulfil trustee responsibilities, attend meetings, and actively contribute to board discussions.

Unfold does governance differently.  An award winning charity, we are led by the people we serve, with inclusive, participatory governance structures which have twice been short-listed for excellence in the Charity Governance Awards.

Unfold (previously known as Westminster Befriend a Family) is an established local charity that gets people where they want to be. Powered by volunteers, we support children, young people and families with one to one mentoring and peer support groups across Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.  We're open to everyone, but we target those who face the most challenges: 93% of our service users are people of colour, 75% are single parent families headed by a woman and in 50% of the families we support there is a child with disabilities or special education needs.

We support the local community and we have also developed specialised programmes for people with specific needs, including refugees, children excluded from mainstream school and children with experience of the care system.

Unfold Trustees 

We have a dynamic, committed, open and friendly board, and we're seeking two new trustees to join us, bringing skills and experiences from the not-for-profit or public sectors.

To reflect the experiences of our service users, we're aiming to maintain the diversity of our board - we're particularly keen to hear from people from the global majority, women, and people who identify with other under-represented groups, including those with disabilities or who identify at LGBTQI+.

We have grown considerably in the last five years, and we now support ten times as many people a year, with five times the budget.   Along the way we've re-branded, undergone a digital transformation, become user-led and significantly expanded our team.  This rapid change reflects both the extent of the community needs, and our ambition to meet those.  We're looking for trustees who can help us go to the next level as we set our strategy for the next five years.

Trustees play a key role in ensuring that Unfold achieves its core purpose and overseeing the overall management and administration of the charity. They also help to ensure that Unfold has a clear strategic vision and that we are working in line with our charitable aims. Trustees support and challenge Unfold’s CEO to enable Unfold to thrive.

We are looking for two Trustees to support our vision and take on the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Engage with and be accountable to our service-user accountability structures, our Youth Advisory Council and our Women’s Advisory Council, who support us in setting strategic direction and to whom we are accountable.
• Support and advise on Unfold’s vision, goals and activities
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation
• Oversee the charity’s budgets and financial plans and monitor and evaluate progress
• Ensure that risks are being identified, monitored and managed effectively
• Ensure the effective administration of the charity
• Provide support and challenge to Unfold’s CEO
• Keep up to date with changes within the environment that Unfold operates
• Contribute to reviews of the charity’s governance
• Attend board meetings and be adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion. These meetings are held in person in our fully accessible London office.
• Support the promotion of Unfold's aims and reputation
• Contribute to the charity’s sub-committees and attend sub-committee meetings adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion

Skill and Experience

• Knowledge and experience of the charity sector
• An understanding of and commitment to participatory and inclusive governance.
• An understanding of and the ability to support Unfold’s fundraising strategy
• An understanding of statutory services which might be supporting families, children, young people, mental health and wellbeing, which might be through knowledge and experience in local authorities or the public sector
• Strong communication skills and able to contribute to board discussions
• Knowledge or lived experience in the borough of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea or neighbouring boroughs
• Understanding of safeguarding the welfare of children or vulnerable adults

Personal Attributes

• Personable and positive
• Willingness to learn and contribute.
• People orientated with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Passionate about supporting families to improve outcomes for children, young people and parents.

Values

Trustworthy, non-judgemental, transparent, caring and compassionate, empowering, proactive, self-motivated and accountable

We particularly encourage applications from:

• Candidates from under-represented groups including women and those from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds
• People from marginalised groups, such as people who consider themselves LGBTQ+, disabled or otherwise facing challenges.
• Individuals with knowledge or lived experience of Westminster and the surrounding boroughs.
• People with less experience but a keen enthusiasm and commitment to our aims based on lived experience.

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A unique opportunity for individuals passionate about education to play a pivotal leadership role in Bristol. As a Trustee you'll contribute your expertise to drive The Leaf Trusts vision and mission forward. 

Overview of the Role:

As a Trustee, you'll share collective responsibility for governing the trust, ensuring its financial health, probity, and adherence to legal guidelines. Your dedication to fostering a positive trust culture and driving performance will be instrumental in their success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership.

• Lead the development of our trust's strategic direction.

• Foster strategic partnerships and secure funding.

• Ensure compliance with governance regulations.

• Oversee the trust's financial performance.

Desired Requirements:

• Expertise in Strategic HR, Law, Procurement, or Strategic IT.

• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

• Good judgement and strategic vision.

• Dedication to equality, diversity, and impartiality.

• Commitment to organisational objectives and values.

The Leaf Trust - Purpose:

At our core, we're dedicated to providing excellence in Primary and Early Years education. Through collaboration, challenge, and support, we empower staff efficacy and agency, ensuring success for all.

Join now:

If you're enthusiastic, committed, and ready to make a difference, we invite you to apply for the Trustee position. Help shape the future of education in Bristol and enable success for ALL. 

How to apply:

Interested candidates should apply with a CV and cover letter detailing your experience and why you wish to join the Leaf Trust.